What is Kidney Disease?
Explore this section to learn more about chronic kidney disease (CKD). You will find that CKD, which can happen at any age, can have both common and rare causes. Learn about the symptoms, some of which may not show up until a later stage of the disease.
Early Symptoms
Early symptoms of kidney decline include:
Changes in your urination (more or less frequent and changes in color)
Fatigue/tiredness/weakness (healthy kidneys produce a hormone that helps produce red blood cells)
Shortness of breath
Nausea or vomiting
A loss of appetite
Changes in how things taste
Possible confusion
High blood pressure (can cause kidney disease or vice versa by weakening arteries that supply the kidneys)
Inflammation/swelling in the face, feet or hands (weak kidneys have a problem removing excess waste; this waste can cause your body to swell)
Later Stage Symptoms
Later stage symptoms include:
Increased changes in urination patterns (blood in the urine, foamy appearance, producing much more or less and frequency issues)
Increased fatigue (muscle soreness, lightheaded, dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches)
Increased swelling or inflammation
Pain in the lower back around your kidneys
Poor growth (seen in children since kidneys control many metabolites growth is impacted)
Toxin build up (bad breath, itching, nausea, metallic taste or rashes)
Related Information
New Resources for Teens
These booklets were developed for tweens and teens who learn their kidneys are not working and they will need dialysis or a transplant. The booklets provide a brief overview of coping with kidney disease, being [...]
Treatments and Modality Options for Kidney Disease
During this webinar you will learn: 1) how kidneys work, 2) about chronic kidney disease stages and symptoms, 3) how to slow progression, 4) end stage options for treatment and 5) about accesses. About the [...]
Free Monthly Webinars/Conference Calls
The DPC Education Center invites people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), their families and professional staff to join us for our monthly webinars. You can also join by phone or [...]
Understanding and Managing Chronic Pain Recording and Slides
If you were unable to attend last month's education seminar, the recording is now available! Please see the video below for details. In addition, download the slides. We want to keep getting better. Please help [...]
Basics of Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also called chronic kidney failure, describes the gradual loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, which are then removed from your body in [...]
Celebrate World Kidney Month
The 10th anniversary of World Kidney Month is drawing to a close! The goal of World Kidney Month is to prevent kidney disease and related diseases from happening, since one adult out of 10 across [...]
English
العربية
简体中文
Nederlands
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Bahasa Melayu
Português
Русский
Español